Test Drive Webinar One: Chat Box Question & Answers
Q: When I try to put my text into an arc, the text goes upside down, and backwards, but follows the arc. What do I do to make the text follow the arc correctly?
A: When drawing you base line for an arc you will need to draw the arc from left to right.
Q: Is there a way to know what fill stitch should be used for different areas of different designs?
A: When creating a design from scratch the program will typically pick the best type depending on the size of the area. However you can choose whatever fill type you want. You can even make your own fill patterns. This is one of the wonderful features of Generations Plus and we will be getting into adding texture in the next webinar.
Q: Can vector clipart be used with ease? How about coloring pages?
A: Yes you can do all of this and more. This first lesson we will not be getting into this, however our next webinar will cover all of this and more. We also have a recorded webinar that goes through scanning available on our website that you can watch free of charge. It is located at the bottom of our front pages at:
Q: which pattern do we stitch out to send in?
A: You will want to stitch out and send in the completed fleur lesson found in the bonus folder on the SAMPLE CD. You will also want to send in the entry form with your stitch out which is found in the Official Contest documentation folder as well. If you have more questions in regards to what to send in please give us a call.
Q: Is there a way to pick what hoop you are using
A: Yes. You can do this in the View Preferences found on the View Menu at the top.
Q: I love this program!
A: That’s great to hear. We are only scratching the surface in this webinar. If you have any questions beyond this topic please feel free to ask
Q: how many levels of undo does the program have?
A: great question 25 Undos. I always say If you have to go back more than that just start over :)
Q: thanks!
A: no problem!
Q: what are your thoughts on saving stitch files to a .dst format. I have a PR-600 and I always save .dst format for stitch-out purposes
A: DST is the most universal file format for embroidery machines. To use this format is fine but also remember to save you working .gen file as well.
Q: Does triple run mean that there are three straight stitches on top of each other, or are they side by side?
A: The program will allow you to select either style
Q: Can you change the direction of the satin fill within each stitch area?
A: yes. This is a great question. You can do this in your Angle View. You can change and Add direction guide lines.
Q: What is the difference between the regular import/export and the Enhanced Format import/export functions?
A: There are a lot more formats and functionality available in Enhanced Formats portion
Q: How do you input notes in designs. My current software allows me to put in notes and it's very useful.
A: You can enter notes in the design information box under the view menu
Q: what about merge
A: You can merge objects. The Merge tools are found in the outline view.
Q: If I buy the program can I put it on my desktop and also on my laptop?
A: Yes but Generations will only open on the computer with a dongle in it
Q: If you choose a thin lettering, does Generations automatically make it thick enough to stitch properly?
A: Generations will add pull compensation to the lettering typically this will be sufficient however depending on the lettering you may need to increase these values
Q: If you want to move it (text lines)up a bit off the line can you do that?
A: yes. You have 100% control on where you want to put things on the screen. In this situation you can use the offset function.
Q: Is there a way to choose the fabric type that you will be stitching your design on when you make your design?
A: Yes. Different fabrics can be selected in the View Preferences on the Canvas Settings Tab
Q: Can you change any design that was not created in generations
A: You can make changes to a design not created in Generation Pus however you will be more limited as to what you can do with it
Q: Is it possible to save the worksheets and keep them with the design?
A: You can in put whatever notes about the design into the design job sheet. When you save the design as a .gen file this information will be saved so that when you go back and open the .gen file all your notes will be there. You can also print a job sheet and save that as a hard copy for you records as well if you would like.
Q: just want to say great presentation! You both did a good job. Can't wait for the next one!
A: --unanswered
Q: I didn't get a separate design CD with my trial version. Are the designs on one of the other cd's I did get?
A: If you did not receive a design CD please contact me afterwards at: 1-866-985-5800
Q: Thank you
Q: Does Generations have image editing ability?
A: yes you can edit either in generations or in any other graphics program on you r computer. this topic will be covered more on may 21
Q: Thank you!
Q: Can you show where to get the workspace doc again? 8-) Would love to make that available in my workshops if that is ok. Thanks~~Holly
A:
Q: After installing font in control panel can we delete the zip file and unzipped file?
A: yes
Q: Do you want the stitch-outs to be exactly like the lesson or can we make additional changes to the design?
A; For this particular lesson we are looking to see that you were able to complete the tasks of the lesson. Installing a new font, changing fills, etc. The stitch out doesn’t have to be exact, so long as it represents that you understood the lesson. We will be allowing a lot more creative freedom on the second project.
A: Thank you for the reminder phone call Neil. I am really excited to learn this software.
Q: So can it import graphics files of all types? The tutorial used .wmf, but I have a lot of vector files from other hobby (scrapbooking) that I'd be interested in converting to embroidery.
A: there are many different graphic formats that are available for inserting an image including working directly from a scanner or digital camera. What Generations does is after the graphic is selected it actually creates its own vector that isspecifically drawn for embroidery from whatever type of file that you choose to insert. This information is covered in more detail on the next webinar, but if you would like to work on it before then just give me a call that the office and I would be glad to help you.
Q: Can you digitize wingding fonts? Some special characters in the fonts I have are pictures of people like Elvis & Marilyn Monroe.
A: Absolutely! Andrea will be covering that shortly
Q: Do the imported files have to be .WMF? Can they be vector files (.eps)?
A: Great question. Import function is for existing embroidery files. e.g. dst, pes, vip When creating a new design is when you would be inserting a graphic to be digitized.
Q: Will the feathering stay if you take it into another program
A: Yes it should unless the other program is altering the design for some reason.
Q: Every program using different numbers to express "density". Can you compare your numbers to stitches per inch, which I'm used to.
A: Generations uses an absolute value when measuring values for digitizing. This is the most accurate way to digitize. For example you change .40mm density to .50mm density you know that those rows of stitches are exactly .10mm further apart.
Q: When you have a design grouped, can you resize and rotate the whole design? Then you save it?
A: sure - You can group rotate or change really whatever you like even if multiple items are grouped together
Q: Can you view the designs in zip folders when you want to choose a premade design or do you need to unzip them first?
A: you need to unzip them first
Q: Can you pick different thread brands for your colors?
A: Yes Generations has all the major thread catalogs built into it. IN fact you can set up the program so that it will digitize all your designs in the specific threads you have at home. All you need to do is set up a custom thread chart for it to do so.
Q: If you put building blocks on top of one another will it get too heavy?
A: It will not do that automatically because not always would you want this to happen. It would depend on the design but on the occasion you do need this effect there is a tool called Create A Void…. Using an Existing…. Area which makes removing unnecessary stitched quick and easy.
Q: FYI... My son showed me a while ago that you don't need to install fonts. My problem was I had too many fonts in the font folder and it was slowing everything down. What he said to do was just find the font you want to use then open the font and leave it open. Then when you open the software the font shows up on your list. Give it a try.
A: Yes. Too many fonts will make your computer run slow and take forever to boot up. There is actually a free software program that allows you to install them temporarily similar to what your talking about. I'll get you the information on the program after the class in the Q/A sheet for everyone else. Thanks!
---The program is called AMP Font Viewer
Q: Does Holly's classes count for the drawing?
A: Unfortunately they don’t becuase they are open to everyone, not just test drive people. But none the less she is a great teacher and has a lot of great information she is offering at no charge and i would recommend taking full advantage if you can.